THE 14^TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IGBO STUDIES ASSOCIATION

Theme
NDI IGBO IN THE GLOBAL CONTEXT

Dominican University, River Forest (Chicago), Illinois, USA
May 12-14

The Igbo Studies Association (ISA) invites scholars and professionals working on all aspects of the Igbo people of Southeastern Nigeria to submit paper, panel, poster, and/or roundtable proposals for its 14th annual international conference to be held on May 12-14 at Dominican University, River Forest (Chicago), Illinois, USA. Through this annual event, scholars and experts gather to deliberate on diverse facets of the Igbo experience and explore ways of advancing the rich Igbo heritage. The conference theme for 2016, Ndi Igbo in the Global Context, is timely; it will give participants the opportunity to reflect on Igbo consciousness as well as the numerous economic, social, political, and security accomplishments Ndi Igbo have made and the challenges they still face both at home and abroad. The place of Ndi Igbo in Nigeria and the world today demands closer examination especially in the face of threats to their lives and wellbeing from xenophobia, ethnic conflicts, terrorism, economic anxiety, human and drug trafficking, investment dilemma, youth restiveness, educational crisis, brain drain, political violence and marginalization, kidnapping, and unemployment. This conference explores how Igbo indigenous cultural values, attitudes, and worldview could serve as a vehicle in constructing a more positive and meaningful relationship among Ndi Igbo and with their neighbors within and outside Nigeria.

For this conference, the ISA welcomes proposals that assess the engagement of Ndi Igbo with the ever- changing and complex world. Igbo efforts at national and international integration present both risks and opportunities. How Ndi Igbo could maximize the opportunities and minimize the risks in the globalized world of the 21st century is the overriding question for this conference.  Presenters are encouraged to propose topics that advance the conversation on the contributions the Igbo have made and could still make in (re)shaping both Nigeria and the world in which equal access to social, political, and economic opportunities could be guaranteed. We hope that your presentations will incorporate original research in understanding and proffering solutions to the obstacles and challenges facing the Igbo people.

Panels will engage with a variety of topics including but not limited to:

1. Globalization, Language Endangerment, and Preservation
2. Ako Na Uche: Understanding the World
3. Migration and Xenophobia
4. Inter-Ethnic Relations, Conflicts, and Fear of Domination
5. Lessons of  Indigenous Religion and Igbo Consciousness  
6. Linkages and Connections: Igbo in Diaspora
7. Economic Anxiety, Investment and Human Security
8. Illicit Wealth, Drug, and Human Trafficking
9. Ogbu Ara Obara: Terrorism, Political Violence, and Safety
10. Youth Restiveness and Unemployment
11. Educational Advances, Crises and Brain Drain
12. Political Evolution, Democracy, and Money Politics
13. Social Security and Stability
14. Kidnapping, Morality, and Decadence
15. Biafran War, Memories, and Lessons
16. Social Solidarity and Pan-Ndi-Igbo Political Organizations
17. Principles and Practices of Human Rights
18. Nka Na Uzu: Science, Technology, and Development
19. Sports and Youth Development
20. Gender, Class, and Igbo Values

Guidelines:

Submit an abstract of 250-300 words with your paper/poster/roundtable title, name, current position and institutional affiliation, mailing addresses, email, and phone number. Your abstracts must discuss the scope of the paper, the research methodology, possible sources, and tentative thesis or hypothesis. Those whose abstracts are accepted will have to pay a $50 non-refundable part payment for conference registration.

Deadline:

All proposals must be submitted online and submission deadline is January 31, 2016. Completed papers are due by March 1, 2016. To submit your proposal, click on this link: http://igbostudiesassociation.org/index.php/submission

Notification:

You will be notified on the status of your submission and other program details by email. Selected papers will be considered for publication and inclusion in either the Igbo Studies Review or a post-conference edited book. You should, therefore, write your papers as if they are being prepared for publication. Presentations can be made in English or Igbo. Participants are responsible for the conference fee and their travel and lodging costs. It is important that those who will require U.S. visas submit their proposals and completed paper early since they will need them for the visa interviews. For more information on the Igbo Studies Association, including membership and other matters, please visit us at http://www.igbostudiesassociation.org/

For more Inquiries, please contact

Ogechi Emma Anyanwu, PhD
Conference Chair
Department of History
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY 40475
Phone: 859-248-1394
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.